Ask a Bucks County parent why they chose Camp NAC, and you’ll likely hear a version of the same answer: “it just felt different.” Maybe it was the counselor who knew their child’s name before the first day. Maybe it was the director who called ahead to ease a nervous family’s worries. Maybe it was the shy kid who left at summer’s end with a voice full of confidence and a handful of new best friends.

That feeling — earned over nine summers and counting — is exactly what Camp NAC Director Brianne Feinour has set out to build. And if the nominations that poured in for this year’s LOVE Award are any indication, she’s done it.

Each year, the Bucks County Parent team asks readers who they love and why through a ballot that opens in December and runs through Valentine’s Day. Families don’t just vote; they share heartfelt, specific endorsements in their own words. Their stories make the annual LOVE List a sincerely trustworthy collection of referrals because every nomination reflects a real family’s real experience.

Members like Camp NAC also collect endorsements year-round directly on their Bucks County Parent Profile Page, each one counting toward the following year’s recognition. This year, Camp NAC’s nominations were detailed, personal, and plentiful. Families named specific counselors, described specific moments, and explained exactly how the program changed their child.

The Counselors Who Make Bucks County Families Keep Coming Back

When families describe Camp NAC, they rarely start with the activities. They start with the staff.

It’s no accident. Feinour and her leadership team hire intentionally, promote from within, and invest deeply in the people who show up for campers every day.

“The staff that we invite to our team are genuinely people that care about humanity,” Feinour says. “They want to make a difference. They have a growth mindset and are willing to learn. Our leadership team has been together for several years and we set the foundation together: what do we want camp to feel and look like? And then we have an open discussion with our full staff. You can’t create that culture without everyone being on board.”

Staff retention reflects that investment. Camp NAC studies what motivates their team using surveys, love languages, and staff bonding nights, and then acts on what they learn. The result is a roster of returning counselors that families can count on summer after summer.

One name came up again and again in this year’s nominations: Mr. James. Families wrote about him with the kind of detail usually reserved for beloved teachers — describing his high energy, his genuine warmth, and his gift for connecting with kids who need it most. This summer, Camp NAC added a second co-lead alongside him so he can continue serving as an additional support counselor and mentor for campers who benefit from extra encouragement, connection, and guidance throughout the day.

“The staff is amazing and really brings the energy,” wrote Alex A. in her LOVE Award nomination. “Camp NAC just has a way of making summers feel special and we’re so grateful to be a part of it year after year.”

How Camp NAC Earns Trust Before the First Day of Camp

For five consecutive summers, one Bucks County family has brought their friend’s children to Camp NAC while she serves in the military. For them, the camp has become a constant — a place where the kids can count on familiar faces, their favorite themes, and the kind of joy that carries over into the car ride home.

Nominations consistently described Camp NAC as “a second home” and “a community.” One parent wrote at length about watching her naturally shy children transform over a summer — a transformation she credits directly to Feinour’s approach.

“Before the start of the summer, Brianne invited us to come in with our children to meet her and her team,” the parent wrote in her LOVE Award nomination. “She took time to sit and talk with us as parents while her assistant director played games with our daughter and son. Each year, we watch our children grow more confident, connected, and comfortable — and we know that starts with Brianne’s genuine commitment to creating a safe and welcoming space for every child.”

That kind of intentional welcome is standard practice at Camp NAC. Feinour meets families where they are — and she means it literally.

“I want them to know they can ask the hard questions,” she says. “Sometimes parents say, ‘Tell me about camp,’ and I redirect: tell me your worries. Tell me your concerns. Let’s talk through what this looks like for your child. Because I want to give you peace of mind and I want your child to have a great experience. Both things.”

The Summer Camp Built for Kids with Allergies, ADHD, and IEPs

Flexibility is one of Camp NAC’s true differentiators in Bucks County. In a region full of summer options, it stands apart:

• 13 consecutive weeks of programming — the longest run of any camp in the area
• No minimum week requirement — families can enroll for one week or the whole summer
• 75+ themed weekly options so every child can build a summer around their own interests
• 10+ free family events throughout the year, including pool access, movie nights at the farm, and seasonal celebrations

For families of children with ADHD, food allergies, IEPs, or other support needs, Camp NAC’s behind-the-scenes preparation is thorough and genuinely reassuring. Nurses review every camper’s full health history before the first day. Staff receive targeted, child-specific training — not just general protocol. For kids who need extra support, Feinour’s team conducts intake conversations with families in advance.

“We want to know ahead of time: do you want a behavior chart? Fidget toys? Daily check-ins with a support counselor?” Feinour explains. “We try to make sure we’re fully prepared before that child steps through the door. We meet them where they are.”

Every staff member is CPR and first aid certified. The leadership team holds dedicated EpiPen training. Nurses flag allergies and medical needs across the attendance system so that all staff — including counselors on field trips — are always informed.

What’s New at Camp NAC in Newtown, PA for Summer 2026

Camp NAC continues to grow, and this summer brings exciting new opportunities for Bucks County families:

• Free May Membership for new families: For the first time ever, general-public families receive a complimentary month of membership at the Newtown Athletic Club in May, giving everyone a chance to experience the community before summer begins.
• Farm expansion: A new playground, more animals (including cows and ponies), a gaga pit, and expanded outdoor space bring the farm experience to a whole new level.
• Licensed daycare for ages 3–4: Full-day care (7am–6pm) with flexible half-day options, weekly themes, music programming, and sensory play — a perfect first step into the Camp NAC community.
• Teen CIT Program: Students ages 13–15 join the Counselor-in-Training track, with a pathway to paid staff positions starting at age 16.
• More family events: Movie nights at the farm and pool, Earth Day events, Easter egg hunts, and more are already mapped through the end of 2026, all at no cost to families.

Why Camp NAC’s Accreditation Matters for Bucks County Parents

Camp NAC is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), a rigorous process involving 300+ standards covering safety, staffing ratios, training, and camper well-being. This year, they’ve also earned the MESH+ Seal through the Alliance for Camp Health, reflecting a deeper commitment to health practices at every level of the program.

“I don’t always lead with this,” Feinour admits, “but it’s important for families to know: we hold ourselves to an incredibly high standard — not because we have to, but because these kids deserve it.”

What Every Child Takes Home from Camp NAC

Nicke R. put it simply in her LOVE Award nomination: “By the end of the summer, we saw growth in confidence, independence, and friendships that extended beyond camp. It’s more than just a camp — it’s a place where kids are supported, encouraged, and allowed to be themselves.”

That last phrase goes to the heart of what Feinour hopes every camper carries home.

“I want them to know they’re unique,” she says. “That they can show up as themselves. That they don’t have to be afraid of who they are — and that they are welcome here with open arms. We love each and every one of them for exactly where they are. We’ll meet them there.”

After nine summers, hundreds of camper stories, and one very loud LOVE Award community vote, it’s clear: the families of Bucks County have met Camp NAC right back.

Looking for a Summer Camp in Newtown, PA?

If you’re searching for a day camp in Bucks County that goes beyond the basics, Camp NAC offers something increasingly rare: a program that benefits your whole family, not just the child on the registration form.

Camp NAC is now enrolling for Summer 2026 — and spots are filling fast. Visit www.campnac.com to explore weekly themes, register your camper, and learn more about the May free membership offer for new families.

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Photos courtesy of Camp NAC, as seen in the Best for Families Guide. 

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